There is no dispute that construction of the dam, and the flooding of an 80 kilometre long stretch of the banks and floor of the Peace River Valley, will have a severe impact on the First Nations and Métis families and communities who depend on this unique ecosystem.

In fact, a joint federal-provincial environmental assessment concluded that the dam would “severely undermine” the cultural practices of First Nations and Métis peoples, would make fishing unsafe for at least a generation, and would submerge burial grounds and other crucial cultural sites.

“We said no to the destruction of that valley. It’s the last chunk of valley that we have and it’s vitally important," says Chief Roland Willson, West Moberly First Nation.

BC Hydro has already begun construction of the Site C dam, including clear-cutting large areas of the valley floor in preparation for eventual flooding, even though legal challenges by First Nations are still before the courts. The BC First Nations Summit called that decision “a major step backwards” in relations between the province and First Nations.

Please join a growing movement of people across Canada who say that the human rights of Indigenous peoples must not be ignored.